San Diego International Airport SAN is the nation’s busiest single runway airport, however, its reduced runway capacity also limits the number of international flights the Airport can accommodate. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has ranked San Diego Airport as the fifth in the Nation's top airports, and number 1 in the State.

The Airport is located 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego, California, and is only 20 miles from the Mexican border. It is conveniently situated on North Harbor Drive, off Interstate Hwy I-5, offering connections to S.R. 163, I-8 and I-15. The area is known for its mild climate, plentiful beaches and world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

With an estimate 17 million passengers a year San Diego Airport is served by many major airlines, and regional jet services, offering direct and connecting flights to all points of the globe. Southwest is its dominant carrier

The passenger terminal complex at San Diego International Airport consists of three terminals – T1 & T2, which are next to each other and are connected by a walkway, and  the Commuter Terminal next to the Air Cargo Building. All three terminals are served at their curbside bus stops by accessible & free Red Bus shuttles running every 10 minutes. (For detailed terminal information click on 'Terminal Maps'.)

Other parking options at San Diego International Airport includes a cell phone lot, shaded lots outside each terminal, valet parking, & closeby long-term parking, as well as off-site parking lots with shuttle service. Note that during 2011 all T2 parking is relocated, served by frequent shuttles to the terminal. (For detailed parking information, click on 'Airport Parking'.)

Rental car reservation boards are near the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1 and 2. Use the courtesy phones provided to request shuttle transport to the car rental company of your choice; however using a reservation board is not always necessary. Rental car shuttles regularly operate at the Terminal 1 center traffic aisle and at the traffic island at the far west end of Terminal 2. If you follow the signs to any of these areas, a shuttle may already be waiting.

To get from San Diego Airport to your destination, you can rent a car, or take a taxi or limo (for taxis & limos check telephone directory or visit San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau. Alternatively, shuttle vans and buses are a popular transportation option to your destination and are available at the Transportation Plazas across from Terminals 1 and 2, and at curbside at the Commuter Terminal.
1. The wheelchair accessible Metrobus (tel. 619-557-4555 or visit sdmts.com),  Route 992, stopping at all 3 terminals, runs 5am-11:30pm every 15 mins and weekends/ holidays every 30 mins. It connects with Trolley, COASTER and Amtrak stations to the Amtrak's Sa Fe Depot train station downtown San Diego, and from there to both the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and the Coaster, which link Los Angeles & Orange Counties and North County (including Old Town, Sorrento Valley, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad & Oceanside).
2. While Amtrak offers 12 daily roundtrips (buy tickets at Amtrak station) - the Coaster only runs Mon-Sat, and not on major Holidays.
For more information call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit 'Amtrak California';  or call 1-800-262-7837 for Coaster or visit gonctd.com.
3. The San Diego Trolley is the City's light rail system with three lines to popular areas (i.e.,  downtown, Convention Center, SDSU, Old Town, Mexican Border.  While the Trolley does not stop at the Airport, its Blue & Orange lines make easy transfers with the Metbus Rout 992 at the America Plaza station.

Future Airport Developments: The ongoing so-called ‘Green Build’ improvement project of San Diego Airport’ is to expand and enhance Terminal 2, including the addition of 10 new gates and an expanded waiting area; Curbside check-in with kiosks to print boarding passes & check baggage prior to entering the terminal; a dual-level roadway separating arriving and departing passengers; adding more security lanes; and expanding concession area by adding more options. All these improvements are to be completed by early 2013.